Archive for the ‘News & Tips’ Category

Do you feel like you know what kind of mood your dog is in by the look on her face? And can you tell when your dog is really disappointed in you, because of those accusing eyes? Well now, according to a study examined in this article from The Telegraph, scientists have proven that you’re not completely crazy, and you’re not just “projecting.”

Any dog owner will claim they can tell exactly what their pet is thinking just by looking at it. Now scientists have discovered that they may well be right.

A study has shown that people are able to precisely identify a range of emotions in dogs from changes in their facial expressions.

The research showed that volunteers could correctly spot when a dog was happy, sad, angry, surprised or scared, when shown only a picture of the animal’s face, suggesting that humans are naturally attuned to detecting how animals are feeling.

Dr Tina Bloom, a psychologist who led the research, said: “There is no doubt that humans have the ability to recognise emotional states in other humans and accurately read other humans’ facial expressions. We have shown that humans are also able to accurately – if not perfectly – identify at least one dog’s facial expressions.

“Although humans often think of themselves as disconnected or even isolated from nature, our study suggests that there are patterns that connect, and one of these is in the form of emotional communication.”

A pair of dogs at MaxFund a local no-kill shelter here in Denver are gaining national attention. Chico, a blind Australian Shepherd, and Jack, his faithful seeing-eye buddy arrived at the shelter when their human passed away.

Their story is sure to warm and/or break your heart…

Obviously it’s imperative that these two be adopted together, if you can help please contact MaxFund Animal Adoption Center. If you know somebody else who can, please share the story.

Snowed in?? Why not take the opportunity to take pictures of your pet?

We often work with clients who are disappointed and surprised when they realize how few pictures they have of their pets. And with the weather being so crazy this winter you’ve probably found yourself stuck at home on more than one blustery day… so why not grab the camera (the actual camera, not the one on your cell phone) and have some fun harassing the animals!

Whether your dog loves the snow, and you can get some great action shots; or your cats or dog (or you) are not a big fan of the white stuff – just keep snapping and you’re sure to get some cute and comical shots!

You may never decide to have a pet portrait made from your photos, but you can still never have too many pictures of those crazy critters living in your house!

And here’s a tip, in the house or even out in the bright white snow.. use the flash!

According to the calendar we’re only a few days into summer but here we’ve already had triple digit temperatures! It looks like its going to be a long, hot season which can be especially taxing on your pet.

Lifehacker.com has an easy, affordable way to help keep your dog cool outside that they will love!:

Keep your canine friends cool this summer by making an ice lick that will your dog’s interest by freezing chew toys inside a bucket filled with a mix of water and chicken broth.

Pet lifestyle weblog Cold Noses Chronicle shares this great tip for beating the heat. You can make the ice lick just using water but adding a can of chicken broth in the mix will make it taste better and the salt will help keep fido hydrated. The chew toys will give him or her another point of interest and the author also recommends adding a carrot or two.

It’s hard to believe that its been nearly a year since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, and the subsequent nuclear disaster left thousands of pets abandoned in the radiation zone where their families were prohibited from returning. But in this rare update from ABC News we learned that the United Kennel Club of Japan is continuing in its efforts to rescue and reunite those pets with their families.

Please click the image to watch the video for more details, but we have to warn you while its good news, there are some disturbing images.

It’s so amazing that there are people willing to put themselves at risk to help these abandoned animals!

The care and concern for aging pets is a subject near and dear to our hearts, and apparently we’re not the only ones. Photographer, Isa Leshko dedicated a portfolio on her website to Elderly Animals in order to depict their dignity and beauty in their later years.

In her words, “Images of animals that are prevalent in popular culture generally depict animals that are juvenile, or at the very least, in the prime of their lives. In these images, animals are exoticized, anthropomorphized, and/or infantilized. This project examines animals who are elderly or at the end stage of their lives.”
Please click here to view her beautiful photos.

Also, Jezebel.com in the “Dog Edition” of their series on Aging in America features the photography of Nancy LeVine who traveled across the country taking pictures for her series called “Senior Dogs Across America.”

As is often the case CNN’s Anderson Cooper has become the voice for the often forgotten victims after a natural disaster, the animals. In the video below he draws attention to the miracle stories of pets who survived the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, as well as the struggle of those now abandoned in the evacuation area near the nuclear plant.

It’s just been in the last few years that its become commonplace for Firefighters to administer CPR to dogs and cats and to carry oxygen masks made to fit their little faces. This was pretty wonderful already, but now it seems these life-saving efforts are beginning to be extended to even smaller furry family members!

According to MailOnline Firefighters in Ashland County, Oregon were trained last week in CPR for small animals and were issued oxygen masks in three different sizes for small animals.

“Fire and Rescue division chief Greg Case said : ‘The purpose is to rescue pets that have been involved in fire so we can help the whole family.’

The masks were donated by the charitable Project Breathe which aims to save the lives of pets caught in fires.

Smaller animals such as pet birds and lizards can be placed inside the masks, while the devices can be fitted over the nose or beak of larger animals.

Veterinarian Dr. Alice Sievers, who led the training, said the masks were designed to be hooked up to a standard oxygen tank, just like human ones.”

This video, also provided in the article, actually shows a dog trainer giving resuscitation and reviving a four-year-old boxer.